The Wharf Restaurant — Restaurant in Madison

I am visiting my grandparents in old Saybrook CT hoping to have a wonderful dinner at The Wharf where my grandparents had recommended we go to due to their great hospitality when I had experienced the most unwelcoming hospitality I have ever been found upon. As someone who has worked in multiple restaurants this is no way you treat a costumer no matter what terms. We had been welcomed nicely by the valet boys, and we walked up to the host stand to be hopefully and peacefully seated no issue, as a normal costumer would assume walking into a restaurant, when we encountered a lady (probably in her early 50’s, with dark short hair) with the most unappealing attitude. We politely asked for a table outside, she shortly said we are unable to do that since they were taken, we had then moved to the thought of then inside with a some sort scenic view, she then turned us down with that option, due to reservation. In this case, we understand, even with empty tables there are reservations, I know the way restaurants work. There was a point after this were she was just staring at us as if we were supposed to walk away after not being told we weren’t able to eat here but because we couldn’t get the seat we wanted, so we then politely announced any seat is completely fine with us as long as it fits our group of 5 and she immediately gasped as if we said we need a table of 15 with majority children. We are 5 adults that are looking for a nice dinner on a Tuesday night at 5:30 pm and there were 6 tables in there. After she gasped, she proceeds to say “excuse me” not once but twice, with her hand on her chest acting as if her breathe was taken away from her because we said any seat was fine, because in all what other phrase were we supposed to say after being turned down twice. We then were confused on the situation, looking around for justification at eachother as if something was mislead or inappropriate and was overall flabbergasted at her reaction for us acting like normal respectful costumers. We had then said “it’s okay, you’re doing great ma’am” because she looked a little flustered and we were concerned something was wrong, which there clearly was but only on her end as we were confused. She then takes us over to a table with a VERY shocked looked on her face, and proceeds to say sarcastically “best table in the red with definitely the best view” knowingly it’s in the middle of the restaurant, and slowly arranging the table without bringing an extra chair for our party of 5 making us stand around, leaves without saying a word and waiting unable to seat. Then the server came over realizing we had no chair or any extra glass, utensils, etc., and brings them over quickly. Server was absolutely fantastic and much better than the horrific host you have welcoming people into your restaurant. As someone who comes from a very well raised and polite family I am absolutely disgusted at the hospitality this woman had against us. Like I mentioned before, I have worked in many and multiple restaurants, and I still work in a restaurant, this is no way to treat a customer that is giving you “I work in a restaurant” manner because I know the feeling of unwelcoming costumers, and I am not here to be a problem but simply have dinner with my family. Other than this horrendous woman, I advise management to quickly remove a negative person from the “face” of the restaurant to better your...

Paradise in the afternoon. What a treasure. How lucky are we to have such gem of a spot to receive the best of care, either with neighbors or friends from far away.? There really isn’t a bad seat but I’ve been fortunate to be in smaller groups so sitting near the rail on the veranda has been a consistent placement. Before you even arrive, dedicated staff are as pleasant and professional as can be, from valet to hotel lobby. Then you get to the reception by bar and it’s as if lovely friends with welcoming smiles have been waiting for you. Either I have impeccable timing or their timing is impeccable because right after a warm greet, we are whisked to a perfect place to have a crisp Aperol Spritz and decide upon a magnificent lunch ( scallops are flawless, gazpacho, I’m dying to recreate, and you can never go wrong with grilled shrimp on greens) The service is smooth as silk, even at height of lunch, and I’m amazed that in the hottest of summer days that our adorable server has neither a hair out of place or a look of any effort at all as she or he shuttles drinks and delicacies effortlessly to our wonder and glee as it is presented so creatively. It’s hard not to have something delicious between the view of the plate and that in the distance as well as whatever is on your fork. Of course all the while, your guest is going on about being transported to a newly discovered paradise vacation island. Then, as if you couldn’t be more content, you opt for the crème brûlée,- next a crack of glazed sugar, the fresh vanilla bean infused in the silkiest of cream and you have now entered reckless abandon with no care of time or place. Later, a good friend calls and says, “hey, let’s do lunch” and you say- “I have just the place I know you’ll love” …and you get to do it all again.

Experiences like this don’t just happen. It’s made up from the skills, training and dedication of each moving individual from the top down to do their highest and best, from chef to server, from host to water server, to bartender to valet to receptionist to cleaning staff, to I show my appreciation, through both being a good guest and generous tipping because that’s the reward to all that good service and I want it to be consistent and in place for the next guest as well as my own return.

I’d also like to thank my fellow guests as this is not a place where people talk loudly or behave selfishly. Anytime I’ve been here I feel it is rather a responsible and special place because, as with good dinner parties or broadway shows, people use good judgement and good manners so that everyone, staff and guests alike, are here to have a great time with special people.

We all have a lot to smile about, rising above strange times, so being here certainly can only add to one’s joy so it’s no wonder that this place is overflowing with...

As a little backstory, I’m from Florida and came to Connecticut to visit my friends who live here. I went to this restaurant today with my friends and one of their grandparents, who live in the area. We walked into the restaurant and weren’t greeted right away by the hostess, and the atmosphere was already slightly off. When we finally got the attention of the hostess, which I’m not even sure if she was the hostess because she seemed like she didn’t know what she was doing, but the 5 of us asked if we could sit outside. She immediately said there were no available tables outside, even though there were plenty and it wasn’t very busy. She then clarified they were all taken for reservations, which could’ve just been said in the first place. Then we asked for a table inside where we could see a view of the water, and she wasn’t very responsive and was looking at her system. After just standing there for a couple minutes, my friend politely asked if we could just get a table with a good view. The woman immediately got offended that she said something, since nobody was talking. My friend asked again, still politely, and the hostess suddenly had an attitude and was very unwelcoming. We were all confused because there was nothing wrong with what was said. Her grandmother then said to the woman that she was doing a great job and we would just like to be seated somewhere at this point. Once again, she got offended and rolled her eyes, saying “Okay” in a very rude manner. At this point we were in shock and felt super uncomfortable, as we felt we did nothing wrong. We finally got sat at a table, and in a strongly sarcastic way, she said, “Best table in the restaurant with the best view for you guys.” We sat there speechless for maybe 10 minutes as to what lead to such unprofessional behavior in a beautiful restaurant. On the other hand, our server made us feel welcomed and was very sweet. We enjoyed the food, but unfortunately will not be returning due to the incredibly uncomfortable experience when we walked through the door. I don’t remember the woman’s name but she was maybe early 50s and had dark, short hair. I am not one to leave reviews but I had to write this because we were looking to have a nice dinner with friends and family, but was sadly faced with the...